Rooted in Jesus news

We have continued to receive encouraging reports and ongoing requests for prayer from those using Rooted in Jesus. Recent news includes:

Uganda

In the Diocese of South Rwenzori coordinator William Musisi has sent a video report from St John’s, Kishenga, where 268 Sunday School children (below) recently completed the first book of Rooted in Jesus Junior and were awarded certificates. We have posted William’s video on our Facebook page.

In the Diocese of Northern Uganda, which held its first RinJ conference in January, Simon Cawdell reports: “The Rooted in Jesus course is growing across the diocese, and some groups are now moving on to book two which is very encouraging. We are also receiving requests for training from those that missed out this time around which is an encouragement. The co-ordinator, Rev Opiyo Geoffrey is presently touring the diocese to support groups and ascertain progress. We are reconvening the translation group to start on book three so that we are well prepared for the next stage in discipleship development. It was great to hear from an archdeacon on one of the visits I did that the course was transforming the life of his parish and more people are coming to church as a result.”

South Sudan

In the Diocese of Nyamlel coordinator William Tong reports: “We have already finished book one in April; now we have distributed book two. The groups are stronger and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yesterday I was in Langic archeaconry for the group Rooted in Jesus. It was great! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is going well in Langic archeaconry (photo below). Rooted in Jesus will be number one in Nyamlel diocese because I am encouraged by Bishop Peter Garang Akuei. And now we have started book two.”

In the Diocese of Gogrial Bishop Abraham Ngor reports: “The ‘Rooted in Jesus’ conference has positive impacts in the the Episcopal Diocese of Gogrial due to the fact that it has led to the opening of four new churches and many new converts.”

DR Congo

In the Missionary area of Lake Tanganyika, Diocese of Bukavu, Coordinator Minduli Mulanda reports that the archdeaconry and deanery coordinators continue to provide support to the group leaders in each parish. “Some are on book 2, others on book 3, and a few on book 4.” Uvira Deanery Coordinator Ezekiel has been visiting groups and offering ongoing training. He writes that two RinJ group leaders in the parishes of Kigongo and Kalonge have married one another!

Elsewhere

We have also received recent news from Madagascar, Burundi and Mozambique.

Bibles have been given to group leaders in the Diocese of Zambezia, Mozambique
New training is planned in the Diocese of Niassa in August, with books being printed for the first time in Swahili for those who need them.
Book 2 in Kirundi has been printed in Bujumbura for those leading groups in the Dioceses of Rutana and Buhiga.
Adult and Junior groups are going from strength to strength at St Mark’s Cathedral in the Diocese of Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, where the number of children attending has increased from 20 to 70 and the adult group (right) has completed Book 2. And the Team Manual has now been translated for the first time into Malagasy in preparation for the conferences to be held later this year.
In many places, translators are continuing to work on new local language versions of the leaders’ booklets so that everyone can follow the programme in their mother tongue.